It's easy to get around from Manchester

Q. Starting in September, my son will be studying abroad for a semester at the University of Manchester in England. I would like to visit him and wonder if you can help me with a few things, such as: names of decent hotels near the campus that aren't overly expensive; how easy is it to get around by public transportation; what I should see in Manchester; what my son and I should see together on a week of vacation from his classes (take the Chunnel to Paris, fly to Rome).

I heard that some airline has $10 one-way flights to different cities in Europe, but don't know the name of that airline. Also, my son will be returning home just before Christmas, so will he need winter clothes there like he would here?

A. The university is situated about a mile from city center and a regular bus service operates between them 24 hours a day. Accommodations can be found on the Web site www.visitmanchester.com and may be booked there or with a travel agent. It lists hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, self-catering and serviced accommodations, the latter two being apartment-like with small kitchens. I've stayed in several Thistle hotels, an English chain, which I've found to be very nice (www.thistlehotels.com).

Manchester is an industrial city, but don't miss the neo-gothic John Rylands University Library; it's something to see. For other sights check the links to "attractions and calendar of upcoming events" on the Manchester Web site.

Jet2 probably is the low-cost airline you've heard about. It flies to Rome and Paris and many other locations out of the Manchester Airport and some fares are indeed as low as $10 one way. Check out www.jet2.com.

Also, you can take the train from Manchester to London; there, you can board the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel to Paris or Brussels, but that is far more expensive than the flights. If you go by train you will arrive in London's Euston station from where you would need to take a cab to Waterloo station to catch Eurostar. However, in November Eurostar moves to St. Pancras station, almost next door to Euston. For rail information, go to www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Finally, yes, your son will need warm clothing. Autumn weather is much like it is here -- sometimes warm and sometimes nippy. Manchester is in the northwest of England and the winter months, although not a deep freeze, can be quite chilly, windy and damp. Tell him to bring sweaters and dress in layers and he can't go wrong.

Between the Manchester Web site and the information you get from the university you should get answers to all your other questions. Have a great trip.